Ready for Spring at Peter Igo

Wednesday

Mar 27, 2013 at 12:01 AMMar 27, 2013 at 10:04 PM

The success of Peter Igo Park Initiative (PIPI) supporters in obtaining approval from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) has not halted enthusiasm to renovate the recreation area across from Green Harbor. According to volunteer and Marshfield Tennis Association president Bud Duksta, volunteer man hours and efforts have increased on the grounds as spring has approached. The goal is to transform the park into an outdoor neighborhood family fitness center.

Mary Jane Hanron

The success of Peter Igo Park Initiative (PIPI) supporters in obtaining approval from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) has not halted enthusiasm to renovate the recreation area across from Green Harbor. According to volunteer and Marshfield Tennis Association president Bud Duksta, volunteer man hours and efforts have increased on the grounds as spring has approached. The goal is to transform the park into an outdoor neighborhood family fitness center.

Though an article will be before April Town Meeting requesting $240,000 of community preservation funding be designated to park restoration efforts, volunteers, activists, neighbors and nature lovers have united on weekends- weather and daylight permitting- to continue the park’s transformation.

Duksta said no contribution is too small to make a difference.

He related an encounter experienced by volunteers recently one weekend. Fifth grade friends and Governor Winslow School students Mikayla Snyder and Jossylyn Staffier left the park’s basketball court where they had been playing when they saw Duksta and volunteer Russ Ellis raking and tidying the area. According to Duksta, the youngsters inquired, “What can we do to help?”

Duksta and Ellis asked them to help with stacking wood and picking up trash in the area.

“Their parents and teachers should be extremely proud,” Duksta said. “And, of course, they each earned a Peter Igo Park cap!”

The PIPI volunteers have been pleased to see the growing interest and enthusiasm in the project according to Duksta. Prior to the CPC approval, they had worked for years gradually improving the conditions of the area corner by corner.

If community preservation funding is approved later this month, those funds will complement private contributions, grants and in kind support.

Recently NStar offered the program a community service partnership. The utility company’s arborist contracted a tree service and removed a number of dead trees on property. They plan to plant new trees in next few weeks. NStar also is conducting a complete energy audit of the Park to minimize energy costs and the environmental impact that it will have on the community, Duksta said. The audit, all tree work and future plantings are being donated.

“They also want to beautify the entire Park once we have all the surface work competed, all the courts and the off street parking. They are really stepping up and we sure welcome their support,” Duksta said.

The PIPI was previously awarded a $50,000 grant from the USTA (United States Tennis Association) for tennis courts on the property to be used by youngsters 10 and under.

A local bank had also expressed interest in an ongoing partnership to maintain the fitness area.

The PIPI representatives have been making the rounds at various boards to talk about the project. At a recent selectmen’s meeting Duksta spoke of the project’s attributes.

“In addition to restoring a recreational area in a beautiful location with access to many natural resources for neighbors to enjoy, we plan for it to be a true fitness center,” Duksta said. “The facility will be ADA (American Disabilities Act) accessible and we plan to promoted it as the only wheelchair basketball facility in the region. It will be a destination for people on the South Shore in addition to being a beautiful place for neighborhood residents to be active as families.”

Selectman Steve Robbins had gratitude to the volunteers. “There are places in the north part of town for recreation but it is nice to have something in the other end of town. The Green Harbor and Brant Rock neighborhoods in particular will benefit.”

Selectmen chairman Matt McDonough said the project will be a first in at least one respect.

“You are actually the first project in the region to benefit from the legislative changes made in the law allowing currently owned town property to be restored. It is an example of proper use of CPC funds and a tribute to everyone committed to the cause,” McDonough said.

For more information on the ongoing efforts at Peter Igo Park, visit www.peterigo.com.